As a predominantly Muslim country, alcohol is not widely consumed and available in many parts of Indonesia. But as a top tourist destination that attracts travelers from all around the world, Bali is an exception, where many vacationing tourists enjoy drinking and nightlife after sightseeing.
While it’s difficult to find beer being sold outside major Indonesian cities and tourist hubs, mainstream international beers including Carlsberg, Heineken, Guinness, Prost and even our very own San Miguel Beer here (I spotted San Mig Light and Cerveza Negra) are widely available in Bali. But for beer-lovers looking for locally-made brews and experiences, here are some of the beer highlights you should look out for.
Bintang Beer
Bintang is the most widely available beer in Indonesia and is an icon among tourists. You can find backpackers walking around everywhere wearing souvenir Bintang Beer t-shirts. This crisp, clean national lager is available everywhere from beachside cafes to trendy bars. A bottle of Bintang Beer will cost you around IDR 30,000 to 40,000 (roughly Php 108 to 144) in convenience stores and restos.
As a localized version of Heineken, Bintang’s flavor is very similar to the pale lager produced by the Dutch brewing company. Bintang Pilsner has a 4.7% ABV and usually comes packaged in a green bottle with a red star, reminiscent of the Heineken branding. Cans are also widely available.
Bali Hai
Aside from the iconic Bintang Beer, Bali Hai is another Indonesian lager you can try. The beer has been in production under the PT Bali Hai Brewery Indonesia since 1975. Bali Hai brands and variants include Bali Hai Premium, Draft Beer, El Diablo Original, Panther Black, El Diablo Strong Brew, Noxx and Folsom.
The beer itself is light and easy enough to drink for those warm nights, but there’s not much that sets it apart from the usual mainstream offerings except for the fact that it has Bali in its name.
Bintang Radler
For those who want something lighter and sweeter to drink during the day to counter the heat, Bintang Radler is a low-alcohol alternative to tropical fruit-based shakes, fresh coconut juice or soft drinks. Radlers are traditionally an equal mixture of lager and carbonated citrus soda, and typically clock in somewhere near 3.0% ABV.
Bintang Radler comes in refreshingly fruity flavors like lemon and orange, perfect for day drinking at the beach. I read there was a grapefruit variant, but didn’t come across it. The orange flavor is not as commonly sold in convenience stores and restaurants compared to the lemon.
Bintang Radler also comes in 0.0% alcohol versions (a carbonated malt drink with a mix of lemon juice) which is processed with non-alcohol technology and produced separately from alcoholic products for the local market.
Beer Cocktail
While dining at The Hub Bali, we came across this signature beer cocktail called “Hushed Mix”, which combines Bali’s iconic Beer Bintang, Orange Radler, Lemon Radler, light rum, fresh orange juice, grenadine, lychee, frosted mint syrup, slices of star fruit, orange and lemon.
This colorful beer cocktail (that costs IDR 198,000) felt light and refreshing but is best shared with 3 – 4 people so you don’t get too much of a hangover.
Kudos to The Hub for using non-plastic straws. Their #IamNotPlasticStraws are made of cornstarch that decompose over time. Bali has officially banned single-use plastic, so many bars now use alternatives like paper straws, bamboo straws and metal straws!
Bali Beer Cycle
Why sit in a bar when you can drink and drive? Bali Beer Cycle gives tourists a chance to pedal their way around the city on a motor-assisted mobile bar that’s fully equipped with free-flowing icy cold beer on tap, music, wifi, driver and a host. The cycle comes in two sizes, good for 10-13 people each. It looks fun for groups who want to enjoy the nightlife, try something new and get some exercise at the same time.
We didn’t get to try this, but we spotted the Bali Beer Cycle making its way down Kuta Street several times and the people on board all sounded like they were having a blast. This looks like a fun activity for special events, birthdays, bachelor parties and the like. They can customize packages based on your preferred drinks (beer, champagne, cider) and add special decorations (balloons, etc.) by request.
- Tour: 2 hours (approx) with free-flowing beer and hostess
- Wayan 13 Seater Tour: Daily 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, 4:30 pm, 7:00 pm
- Ketut 10 Seater Tour: Daily 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm
- Beer package: $59AUD/person (inclusive of free-flow beer, Smirnoff Ice / Apple)
- Champagne package: $70AUD/person (freeflow champagne/wine)
- Cider package: $65AUD/person (freeflow beer, Smirnoff Ice/Apple, Strongbow Cider)
- Non-drinking package: $30AUD/person (water and softdrinks) *by request
Stark Craft Beer
My favorite beer discovery during this recent trip to Bali was Stark Craft Beer, which is said to be the only premium craft beer produced in Indonesia and the only beer made in Bali! The beer, which has been in production since 2011, uses natural spring water coming directly from the rock base of the volcanic mountain of Bedugul. You can find the Stark Craft Beer Garden (formerly Beer Garden Kuta) right along the Jalan Kartika Plaza in South Kuta’s main tourist strip.
This relaxing outdoor tavern serves six of their signature craft beers on tap and 8 variants in bottles including a Wheat Beer, Dark Wheat, Low Carb Lager, Mango Ale, Lychee Ale, Coffee Porter, IPA or Indonesian Pale Ale, and 1945 (a unique artisan Pilsener beer that makes use of 40% Balinese rice). Not all were available on tap for a beer sampler serving, so we had to order bottles. Each bottle or mug of Stark Craft Beer costs about IDR 60,000 (Php 216), double the price of your regular Bintang Beer, but it’s worth it.
I found the Mango Ale and Lychee Ales (both 5% ABV) to be on the sweet side with the fruity flavors stronger than the beer flavor. Of the two tropical ales, I preferred the mango but found both very refreshing, distinctive, smooth and easy to drink.
The Wheat Beer (5% ABV) is a European style witbier created with the tropical climate in mind. It was very fresh and light and had just the right hint of citrusy flavor. Too bad they ran out of the IPA on tap.
The craft beer garden is located within the premises of Stark Boutique Hotel & Spa, a minimalist and modern hotel for those who want easy access to the brews. Check out this beer-themed room on their official Instagram account!
The beer garden has live music at night and serves Western and Asian cuisine, as well as wine, cocktails, and mocktails for non-beer drinkers. You can also buy some unique craft beer merchandise or order bottles for take-out here though it’s cheaper by about 20,000 IDR if you buy it in Bottle Avenue in nearby Kuta Square Mall.
- Address: Stark Craft Beer Garden. Jalan Kartika Plaza No. 20, Kuta, Indonesia (Formerly Beer Garden Kuta)
- Resto hours: Open daily from 11:00 am to 2:00 am (closes at 12:00 midnight on Mondays)
- Price range: IDR 60,000 per mug or bottle
- Facebook: Stark Craft Beer Garden